GEORGIA PEACH indicated that Hacienda Zuleta two hours north of Quito, between Ibarra and Cayambe and east of Otavalo, was her nomination as the most likely site for the episode 1 pit stop. After a lot of searching among Ecuador ranch information, I concur. It is the only ranch I could find that has cows (producing milk for Zuleta Jack cheese) which are evident in the photo behind Phil. It has a history dating back to 1691 and is rated as luxury accomodations for guests. And it's in the middle of nowhere. Just the place that the Amazing Race team would pick.

"The descendants of former Ecuadorian President and bullfighter Gallo Plaza have chosen to contribute to Ecuador's future by throwing Hacienda Zuleta into agrarian and environmental causes. The property has a large organic garden (from which your meals will be harvested) and a cheese factory famous for its Zuleta Jack." It's also home to a condor recovery program, which you will be invited to visit. The Hacienda offers a variety of activities including hiking and mountain biking behind the property, and there is a fine stable of horses for those who enjoy riding."

PUDDIN, great map of Otavalo area haciendas. Of course, Hacienda Zuleta is off the map to the east. I checked out every one of the haciendas on the Otavalo area map before I issued my earlier post and none of them showed any indications of cows on a working farm.

the thing peach is talking about IS NOT from tar10 gator, its from the starting line. he is yelling go

I have to say that I think kogs is absolutely right--he is definitely saying go.

That place just seems SO familiar to me--could I know it from a televised "hole 18" golf tournament or something? I've been checking other golf courses in the area and looking at their clubhouses but so far no luck. You Google Earth whizzes will have to find this one!

Just so we can see--it is similar to the pitstop but not quite...

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And why does that house behind Phil look so dark and gloomy? Is it unused? If it was a clubhouse, even if it was very early morning, you would think that there would be some lights on somewhere! Strange...

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RFF's Golden Rule:Have RESPECT for each other, regardless of opinion. This of course includes no flaming/insulting other users and/or their posts.

I agree that cigarette boats are the entry vehicles; the cap is a little fuzzy, but with a little luck we might find the rental agency or racing club with a matching design. About the starting line, I don't know. Are we sure it's even a golf club? It might be a "Magnum" style private estate.

the thing peach is talking about IS NOT from tar10 gator, its from the starting line. he is yelling go

I have to say that I think kogs is absolutely right--he is definitely saying go.

That place just seems SO familiar to me--could I know it from a televised "hole 18" golf tournament or something? I've been checking other golf courses in the area and looking at their clubhouses but so far no luck. You Google Earth whizzes will have to find this one!

Yowza! 125 haciendas in the Imbabura province alone (Zuleta is the last one). This page describes some of the more famous ones. Until more info comes in, Zuleta looks like it's as good as anything else.